FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Berberis nervosa | Dwarf Oregon-Grape 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Dwarf Oregon-grape persists in closed forest stands with
long fire-free intervals.  However, as a residual survivor, it is also
well-adapted to a regime of "relatively frequent surface fires" such as
those common in certain Douglas-fir-western hemlock/dwarf Oregon-grape
types of Oregon [43].  Fire intervals in Douglas-fir-western hemlock
forest inhabited by dwarf Oregon-grape commonly range from 137 to 320
years [1,71].  Fire intervals in other forest types occupied by dwarf
Oregon-grape have been estimated as follows in Desolation Peaks,
Washington [1]:

      ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir          52 years
      lodgepole pine-Douglas-fir          76 years
      Douglas-fir-grand fir               93 years
      Douglas-fir-Pacific silver fir      108 years   

Fire can produce gaps in old-growth redwood forests which are conducive
to dwarf Oregon-grape growth [60].

Dwarf Oregon-grape commonly sprouts and grows vigorously after fire [74].
Reestablishment through seed may occur, although vegetative regeneration
is the dominant mode of postfire establishment [32].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Rhizomatous shrub, rhizome in soil

Related categories for Species: Berberis nervosa | Dwarf Oregon-Grape